Sited on 163 wooded acres along the slopes of Rock Creek Park, the 120-year-old Smithsonian National Zoological Park is one of the most scenic zoos in the country.
The park’s lovable giant panda bears — Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and Bao Bao — usually get top billing, but there’s much more to discover among the 2,000 animals and 400 different species represented here.
See, for instance:
- Orangutans swing from 50-foot-high outdoor towers
- Sea lions train at 11:15 am daily
- Two-toed sloths play peek-a-boo in the Amazonia rainforest exhibit
- Parrots swoop by in an indoor flight room.
There’s plenty here for a full day’s outing. To see the pandas when the crowds are lightest, plan to stop by between 8 and 10 a.m. or after 2 p.m. If they’re awake, the pandas will likely be munching on bamboo.
The Zoo has undergone a lot of improvements lately. In 2006, a $53 million eco-friendly Asia Trial opened to rave reviews, expanding outdoor habitats for sloth bears, fishing cats, red pandas, clouded leopards, Asian small-clawed otters and, of course, the giant pandas.
In 2009 the Zoo welcomed the births of a western lowland gorilla, a giant anteater, and two clouded leopard cubs. Another newcomer drawing crowds is a bespectacled bear named Billie Jean.
Click here to view the Giant Panda Cam.
For more, visit www.nationalzoo.si.edu
Travel Tips
The Zoo has an ample supply of eating options. On top of your typical hotdog stands, the Zoo has restaurants and cafes scattered throughout, serving food from burgers to grilled chicken sandwiches. The Zoo also encourages visitors to picnic. Picnic areas around the Zoo grounds work on a first-come, first-served basis. Be aware that, besides coolers, cooking devices (such as grills) are not allowed on Zoo grounds.
Strollers are available for rent for use at the Zoo. Ask for information at any Zoo kiosk.
Zoo maps are available at the Visitor Center and any information kiosk for a small fee. If you want to carry around a map, but not pay for one, you can print one ahead of time from the Zoo web site.
Special Events
The National Zoo has many special events throughout the year. From Easter Monday egg hunts, to ZooLights in December.
Easter Monday
Earth Day
ZooFari
Brew at the Zoo
ZooFiesta
Autumn Conservation Festival
Boo at the Zoo
ZooLights
Travel InformationNational Zoo Hours: Open daily 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. April through October and 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. November through March. On occasion, the zoo will close early for a special event. Admission: Free Parking: The Zoo’s parking lot costs $22. Parking is free for some FONZ members. Visitors are encouraged to take public transportation seeing as the parking lots fill up quickly. Metrorail: Red Line stops for Cleveland Park or Woodley Park/Zoo-Adams Morgan. Woodley Park is slightly closer but the walk is uphill, as opposed to the slight downhill from Cleveland Park. |
Nearby Attractions
Washington National Cathedral
Suggested Tours
Old Town Trolley Tour
TAREK says
June 10, 2017 at 12:20 pmHOW MUCH IS THE TICKET FOR ADULTS ?
The District says
June 21, 2017 at 10:55 pmGeneral admission to the Zoo is free.
Bee says
November 2, 2017 at 1:37 pmEven for the vistors not from the D.C. Area?
The District says
November 2, 2017 at 5:18 pmYes. Admission is free for all visitors.
opie graycloud says
November 13, 2014 at 3:18 pmDoes the National Zoo collect leftover pumpkins from area grocery stores for the animals to play with?
The District says
November 20, 2014 at 4:36 pmContact the National Zoo directly using the following web page:
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Contact/
Delta says
July 11, 2013 at 4:42 pmSo you dont have to pay to get in you just pay for parking?? Is that how that goes.. I’m just wondering how that works..
The District says
July 13, 2013 at 7:06 pmThere is no admission fee to enter the National Zoo. Parking nearby is limited, so the parking lots at the zoo do have a fee. If you do not need your car, you can use Metro and avoid the need for parking.